Central Africa

Founded in 800 AD, Djenne is one of sub-Saharan Africa’s oldest cities. It is situated on an island in the Niger River delta, serving as a natural hub for traders traversing between the Sahara Desert and the forests of Guinea. Furthermore, Djenne became a center of Islamic learning with its market square still dominated by the stunning Grand Mosque. This historical city is just a few hundred miles downstream from Timbuktu.